Bruising under skin

[Den73]

Good morning all....I have managed to reduce to 15mg Pred, was prescribed MTX but it proved toxic for me so had to stop after 1st dose of 20mg then was persuaded by the rheumatologist to take another dose but I only took 10mg but since then I am bruiding all on my arms and even now on my neck after just touching it as I have a skin rash. Could this be the Pred or the MTX ? which I am no longer taking as again was very sick on the 10mg

I have been Pred since August 2023 started on 60mg because of GCA

Thank you again in advance for your advice. X

[FlowerWoman]

Hello, I have this also, mostly on my lower arms and hands, but I’m on neither of those meds. I’m taking Hydroxychloroquine but these symptoms started before I was taking it (about 10 years ago now) so I’ve always just put it down to the disease itself (rightly or wrongly).

[Den73 in reply to FlowerWoman]

Hi FlowerWoman now that is so interesting, mine is also lower arms and hands, I was put on MTX but only took 8 tabs ..1 dose...made me so very sick it was toxic to me apparently and since then this bruising happened I am also on 15mg Pred.Thats a good 3 months ago.

How do you react to Hydroxychloroquine? As that is med would like to ho on have heard good reports.

I am in search of a new rheumatologist i gather mine is no longer interested on me as I refuse MTX, in fact when I saw him 2 weeks ago with the suggestion I take MTX i refused and have been suggesting Hydroxychloroquine, he didnt even reply and just said he will sign me off for 6 months I must continue reducing Pred and then he will do a telephone call appointment.

In the meantime all sorts have happened, had awful pains in my back and ribs went to GP who sent me for xrays and it was discovered I have fracture of T6 vertebrae and all the other symptoms of Sjorgens very much in play.

So I am looking for a rheumatologist who specialises in Sjorgens....there is a NHS website that I saw some listed, I will check on monday.

Thanks for your comments. Xx

[FlowerWoman in reply to Den73]

I sympathise completely, I was diagnosed in 2016 and put on HQN and have taken it ever since (now 200 mg/day, though I was started on 400 mg/day) and I find it hard to tell exactly how it is helping as the symptoms are so many and varied. Certainly I’m not quite as tired as I was before taking it and if I reduce my dose my joint pain flares so I’ve given up trying that. If you are within striking distance I would recommend Dr Elizabeth Price in Swindon as she has been brilliant for me. My local Rheum, though claiming to specialise in Sjögrens, was utterly hopeless and very stress inducing so in desperation I now travel quite a long way. There is such a need for specialist clinics

[Den73 in reply to FlowerWoman]

Thanks for your comments FlowerWoman have to agree with you these autoimmune diseases are very complex and also what helps one person doesnt necessary mean it will help the other, I will give hydroxychloroquine a try as there are days where the fatigue is overwhelming that I feel I have to have some sort of treatment, it definitely sounds better than the side effects of MTX , not that there wont be any side effects I think thats the downside of any treatment. I suffer terribly with my eyes too..

I have heard of Dr Elizabeth Price, I will give her office a call , I am Oxford way so I think its about an hour and a bit away.

You are so right we need more specialists in this field.

Thank you for your advice, I will start looking around from Monday. X

[FlowerWoman in reply to Den73]

Good luck with it. Best wishes x

[Den73 in reply to FlowerWoman]

Thank you FloweWoman, appreciate your comment xxx

[OldTed60]

I wouldn’t assume that bruising is anything to do with Pred, MTX or Sjogren’s. If you are scratching a rash then this might cause it because, depending on your age, we bruise more easily as we age. But you should have full blood count and be checked out for blood clotting disorders just in case. I bruise easily but I have HSD/ EDS which makes me prone I’m told. From Oxford it’s be easy enough to see Dr Price. I travelled to see her privately from Scotland. Hard getting there and back but well worth it because she added systemic sclerosis to my list and got me back on mycophenolate - which local drs had blocked - but now finally confirmed unequivocally.

[Den73 in reply to OldTed60]

Thank you OldTed60 I appreciate your comments re the bruising.....thats why I need a caring knowledgeable rheumatologist, mine has done no tests whatsoever, my GP did take full blood tests and ordered the spine xray, he did more and still is.

I will definitely make enquiries this week coming as our health is also our responsibility and i know the rheumy is not taking care he has hardly performed any tests in this year, it all started in July 2023, the only xray I have had is a chest one on the first visit despite all sorts of symptoms and questions on my part, so I appreciate the comments with regards to Dr Price, thank you.